翻譯名義集 2.9

2.9

【Vaiśravaṇa (bù-mí)】 The *Dàzhìdù lùn* says: "In the language of Qin, it means 'Much Hearing' (Duowen); he rules over yakṣas and rākṣasas." The *Guāngmíng shū* says: "On the northern crystal terrace, the king's name is Vaiśravaṇa." The *Suǒyǐn* says: "Because his reputation for blessed virtue is heard in all four directions, it is also translated as 'Universally Heard' (Puwen). The Buddha commanded him to hold and support the relic stūpas of ancient Buddhas." The *Sēngshǐ lüè* says: "In the first year of the Tianbao era of the Tang, five Western barbarian states came to raid Anxi. On the eleventh day of the second month, a memorial requested troops for relief; but dispatching an army over ten thousand li would take months to arrive. Close ministers memorialized that Tripiṭaka Master Amoghavajra be summoned into the inner palace to recite incantations. Emperor Xuanzong held the incense burner while Amoghavajra chanted the dhāraṇī of the *Renwang Huguo Jing*. After only fourteen recitations, the Emperor suddenly saw five hundred divine beings, armored and carrying spears, before the hall. The Emperor asked Amoghavajra, who replied: 'This is Dujian, the second son of Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa, responding to Your Majesty's wish by going to rescue Anxi.' In the fourth month of that year, a memorial arrived: 'On the eleventh day of the second month, at the si hour, thirty li northeast of the rear city, amid dark clouds and dense fog, divine beings about ten feet tall appeared, all clad in golden armor. At the you hour, drums and horns sounded loudly, and the earth and mountains shook. After two days, the barbarian invaders fled in collapse. Soon after, a form of the Radiant Heavenly King manifested on the city watchtower; we respectfully submit a sketch along with this memorial.' Consequently, an imperial edict ordered all circuits, prefectures, and commanderies to erect statues of the Heavenly King in their northwestern corners." These Four Heavenly Kings dwell on the flanks of Mount Sumeru. Thus the *Abhidharmakośa* verse says: "The layers of the Wondrously High are four, each separated by ten thousand [yojanas]; / extending outward by sixteen thousand, eight, four, and two thousand in measure. / The Solid-Handed, the Garland-Bearers, and the Ever-Intoxicated, along with the hosts of the Great Kings, / reside in succession on the four terraces, and also dwell upon the other seven mountains." These are called the four kings and eight classes; or, as some list twenty-eight classes, one explanation says: each direction has four classes, so the six directions make twenty-four classes, and with one in each of the four intermediate corners, they total twenty-eight classes. Another says: each direction has five classes—namely, earth, water, fire, wind, and space—so the four directions make twenty classes, and together with the eight classes led by the Four Kings, they make twenty-eight classes. The *Gǎntōng zhuàn* relates that the celestial being Lady Fei said: "Under each king are eight generals, making thirty-two generals for the Four Kings, who travel throughout the four continents, coming and going to protect and assist the renunciants. Among the four continents, the northern continent has little Buddhadharma, while in the other three continents the Buddhadharma greatly flourishes. Yet renunciants mostly violate the prohibitive precepts, and few act in accordance with the Dharma. In the eastern and western continents, people have little cleverness or wisdom, and their afflictions are hard to transform. In the southern continent, although they commit many offenses, when transformed to follow the good, their minds are easily subdued. When the Buddha was approaching nirvāṇa, he personally gave them the entrustment and commanded them all to guard and protect, not allowing Māra to disturb them: 'If you do not guard and protect such precept-breakers, who will practice my teachings!' Therefore, before the Buddha's bequeathed admonition, they dare not fail to act. Though they see transgressions of the prohibitions, they pity and protect them. If they see one practicing a single good, ten thousand faults are not reproached; their approach is to overlook blemishes and disregard past mistakes. General Wei, among the thirty-two generals, is the most devoted to extensive protection. Many demonic sons and daughters make light of and ridicule bhikṣus, and those whose power in the path is weak are all led astray. The general rushes anxiously to the rescue, eradicating [the demons] as the occasion demands. Thus, whenever matters arise, he must go to the place of the Four Kings. When the kings see him, they all rise, because General Wei cultivates the practice of pure youth and protects the true Dharma."